WVU transfer Murray arrested in Philly

Aaric Murray averaged 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds as a sophomore at LSalle before transfering to WVU.

MORGANTOWN - Aaric Murray hasn't played a game yet for West Virginia's basketball team. If he doesn't turn things around, it might never happen.

The transfer center from LaSalle was arrested Thursday morning in his hometown of Philadelphia and charged with possession of marijuana.

The rest of WVU's team is in Las Vegas for a tournament. Murray did not make the trip because as a transfer he must sit out this season according to NCAA rules.

Murray, 22, was arrested at 9:50 a.m. Thursday on the 1700 block of South 20th Street in Philadelphia and charged with possession. As of Thursday afternoon he was still in custody awaiting a bail hearing.

West Virginia coach Bob Huggins was told of the arrest while in Las Vegas with his team and issued only a brief statement.

"I've been alerted about the situation and the matter will be handled internally," Huggins said.

This is not the first time Murray has run afoul of the law or a coach.

Murray attended high school at the Glen Mills School in Pennsylvania, which is for juvenile students usually sent there by the courts. Then, during two seasons at LaSalle, Murray and coach John Giannini had more than a few run-ins and the 6-foot-10 center was benched at times.

Still, there is no denying Murray's talent. Despite his problems at LaSalle, he averaged 15.2 points and 7.7 rebounds as a sophomore. Then, after deciding to transfer and choosing West Virginia over Oklahoma State and Kansas last spring, Murray was invited to the tryouts for the United States team for the World University Games. He made it to the final cut before being eliminated from the team.

Former WVU player John Flowers, now playing professionally in Japan, apparently heard about Murray's arrest Thursday and posted a message on his Twitter account.

"I hope this dude doesn't ruin his bright future in basketball by continuing to do dumb [expletive],'' Flowers wrote. "I hate to see wasted talent.''